"Eighteen Weeks and Counting"

Three months had passed since that fateful day when Ashley had confided in Karen about her suspicions. It was hard to believe how much had changed since then. Ashley was now 18 weeks pregnant, and her baby bump was starting to show. She had grown accustomed to the constant questions and stares from strangers, but it still made her feel self-conscious at times. Ashley, Karen, and Jake had been to numerous doctor's appointments, and they had all been a blur of ultrasounds, blood tests, and anxious waiting. But through it all, they had grown closer as a family. Jake had been a rock for Ashley, supporting her through the ups and downs of pregnancy. He had even started attending Lamaze classes with her, much to her amusement. As Ashley sat on the couch, rubbing her belly, she couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder. Her baby was growing and developing at an incredible rate. The doctor had told her that the baby's heart rate was strong, and that everything was progressing normally. Karen walked into the room, a cup of coffee in her hand. "Hey, kiddo, I brought you some coffee. I thought you could use a pick-me-up." Ashley smiled, taking the cup from Karen. "Thanks, I needed that." Jake walked into the room, his eyes fixed on Ashley's belly. "Hey, baby," he said, reaching out to touch her stomach. Ashley smiled, feeling a sense of love and connection to this little person growing inside her. The three of them sat there in comfortable silence, enjoying each other's company. They had talked about names, nursery decor, and all the things they would need for the baby's arrival. But despite all the planning, Ashley couldn't shake the feeling of uncertainty that still lingered. As they sat there, Ashley's mind began to wander to the future. She was going to be a mom. It was a daunting thought, but also an exciting one. She was going to have to balance school, work, and parenting, but she was determined to make it work. Karen seemed to sense Ashley's thoughts and spoke up. "You know, kiddo, you're going to be an amazing mom. You and Jake are going to do great." Ashley smiled, feeling a surge of gratitude towards Karen. She knew that she couldn't have done this without her support. As they chatted, Ashley's phone buzzed with a text from her best friend, Emily. "Hey, girl, how's it going?" Ashley smiled, happy to catch up with her friend. But as she began to type out a response, she realized that she hadn't told Emily about the pregnancy. Not officially, anyway. Ashley hesitated, unsure of how to break the news. She knew that Emily would be surprised, but she also knew that her friend would be supportive. Taking a deep breath, Ashley decided to call Emily instead of texting her. As the phone rang, Ashley felt a sense of nervousness. It was time to share her secret with the rest of the world.